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Martin Rees on "From Here to Infinity"

Guests

Martin John Rees:Baron Rees of Ludlow, author. He is Master of Trinity College and Emeritus Professor of cosmology and physics at the University of Cambridge

Is scientific theory inaccessible to the general public? Astrophysicist Martin Rees argues it's accessible to everyone in his new book, "From Here to Infinity." His book was Tom Weber's book Pick of the Week.

In his new book, Rees explains how a better cultural understanding of research could help improve debates about healthcare and energy policies. Rees joins The Daily Circuit Friday to discuss the ideas behind his book.

"In this century, not only has science changed the world faster than ever, but in new and different ways," he said in a TED Talk. "Targeted drugs, genetic modification, artificial intelligence, perhaps even implants into our brains -- may change human beings themselves."

Mr. Rees's voice is authoritative and deserves to be heeded. "From Here to Infinity" is infused with the modest hope--a 50% chance, in Mr. Rees's opinion--that humanity will choose the wise course of action: cut carbon emissions, conserve natural resources and otherwise refrain from self-destruction. And yet in that even-odds figure is a palpable gloom about what appear to be the immensity of the obstacles and our growing susceptibility to disaster, especially for the have-nots of the world.